Device for teaching golf swing



Jdly15, 1941. w. ELLINGTON 2,249,038

DEVICE FOR'TEAcHING GOLF SWING Filed Oct. 9, 1939 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 15, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FGR TEACHING GOLF SWING Wesley Ellington, Hillsboro, Tex.

Application October 9, 1939, Serial No. 298,533

2 Claims.

Another object of the invention is to provide the user with a device to check or test his swing that he uses in actual play, that is when space is available and with the use of a golf ball the actual golf swing with woods and irons may be practiced. 1

A further object of the invention is that with the device embodying same it can be adjusted to accommodate the users height, such as for small children or unusually tall players, the device also being light in weight, foldable for transportation and occupying small space when not in use.

The device is simple in construction and does not injure the golf club head or club shaft, as an incorrect swing of the golf club, or cutacross, merely breaks a tape or similar medium which may be easily reset for further practice. Also adequate protection from possible damage to the golf club from contact with the units of the device is provided for by proper spacing in parallel relationship of the units and the position of the feet of the player at address.

The invention will be readily understood from a perusal of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of both units of the device in operable position;

Figure 2 is a partial end 'elevational View, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away, of a tape spool; and

Figure 4 is an elevational view, per se, of a tape holding rod.

The practical utility of the invention lies in its usefulness in acquiring, as previously referred to, the correct swing of the golf club, that is the swinging of the clubhead in a pathfrom inside the direction line out and along this line a few inches and up tothe proper finish. Also of enabling those who have learned' the correct golf club swing to keep in orthodox practice without being on a golf course. To further make clear the usefulness of the device, it may be pointed out that some of the fundamentals of the correct golf club swing are foot-work, knee action, the pivot, arm action, upper body action,

wrist cock and action, head down and others. All of these may easily and correctly be acquired by the use of the device.

, In carrying out the invention, there is provided two sectional units A and 13,- section A being in two parts I and 2 and connected by the hinges, 3. The section B is positioned'parallel with the section A and consists of two parts 3a and 4, likewise connected by the hinges 5, the section B being positioned behind or diagonally with respect to the section A. This parallel relationship of the sections provides a course or club swinging space, indicated at C and wherein a golf ball 6 is set on a tee I.

On the part I of the sectional unit A is removably placed a hollow post 8, the lower end of which post is seated in an opening in a base piece of wood or the like 9. Brackets Ill and II are secured to the part I of the unit A and the post 8 is slipped through the brackets as shown. A brace in the form of a stiff piece of wire I2 and bent at I3 has one end at I4 formed into an eye which eye. rests or abuts against the lower end of the bracket I0,'this eye being loose enough to turn on the post when the device is to be folded away. The opposite end I5 of the brace I2 is seated 'in the base piece 8. For holding the post 8 against rotation when in operable position, a pin I6 is inserted in the lower end of the post and into the base as shown in Figures -1 and 2.

The base piece 9 serves as a support for the sectional unit A and is so arranged that when in operable position the base piece is at right angles .to the sectional unit A. This arrangement is provided for by cutting away one corner of the part I to conformably receive the base piece. The base piece is further held in rigid position by a slide bolt IT with a knob I8,-.the parts being screwed onto the side of the section I opposite to that shown in Figure 1. This construction is clearly shown in Figure 2 and when the device is being used the bolt I'I is moved'into a hole in the base piece as shown in Figure 2. When I and 2 of the unit A are cutpreferably in a' curve as at D and also that the sections 3a and 4 of the unit B are also curved at E and slanted. The hinges 5 of the unit B are on the side of the unit opposite to the path of the club swing. For holding the unit 3 upright thereare provided an angle support I8 and a swingable support IS, the latter lying practically flat on the section 4 when the parts are folded for transportation.

The curved or cut-away portion of the sections I and 2 of the unit A as indicated at D is for the purpose of allowing the golf club to swing across the recess thus formed and break a tape or similar element 2| when an incorrect swing is made.

The tape 2| which however may be paper tape, Cellophane, rubber band, elastic or other suitable medium, is carried on a spool 22, see Figure 3, and stretched across the unit A as shown, the upper end of the tape being held securely in a rod; The rod 23 is slidable inside the hollow post 8. On the upper end of the hollow post 8 is screwed a head 24 with a set screw 25. The set screw 25 thus holds the rod 23 in a rigid set position, depending upon what position it is desired to swing the rod, the dotted and full lines in Figure 1 showing two positions of adjustment. By this arrangement the rod 23 may be swung laterally and shifted vertically atwhatever position desired according to the players height. The rod 23 is shown in detail in Figure 4 and is angular, the angle F or bend provided for a long and relatively short projecting piece of the rod from the upper end of the post and head 24. Also the rod 23 is slit as at 26 and a set screw 21 placed therein to tighten the tape in position.

The spool 22 carrying the tape or the like includes a ratchet wheel 28 on its shaft 29 and a pawl 30 is held in mesh with the teeth of the ratchet wheel when the tape is tautened in position. After the tape has been broken the pawl may be released by movement of the small pin 3| to free the tape for unwinding. A spring 32 normally holds the pawl in mesh with the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

In the operation of the device (with or without the golf ball 6) each of the units A and B are placed in spaced parallel position, as shown in Figure 1, according to the intended line of flight of the golf ball or the swing of the golf club. The unit A is placed on the'side of the line of flight next the player, the distance between the two units A and B depending on the ability of the player and the manner in which the player swings the club. When a swing is made between the units without striking either of them and without breaking the tape at any point, a

correct swing has been made. If, however, the club strikes against either unit or the swing carries the golf club out of the proper arc the club will break the tape and an incorrect swing has been registered. The unit B serves as a guide to assist the user in keeping the clubhead along the directional line of flight for a few inches and then inside this line and up to the top of the backstroke. The position and arrangement of the two units also takes care of the backstroke or beginning of the stroke, as the club must be held within the course between the units and along the indicated line of flight or swing of the club.

While the disclosure reveals a practical working embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications are possible apart from the structure and arrangement shown and such as would be within the scope and meaning of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: v

1. A device of the character described comprising a pair of sectional hinged units spaced apart in parallel relationship, one of said units having a cut-away to provide a recess,- means for supporting the units in a vertical position, means for folding the units to a collapsed non-use position, a spool mounted on one end of one of said units, a tape holding means mounted on the.

opposite end of said unit, a tape or the like wound on said spool and extended from said spool to said tape holding means, means for holding the tape in said tautened position, and means for adjusting said tape holding means.

2. A device of the class described comprising a pair of sectional hinged units spaced apart in parallel relationship, means for supporting the units in a vertical position, said supporting means being movable to provide a collapsible position of the units in connection with the hinges thereof, a spool mounted on one end of one of said units, a tape or similar element carried on the spool, means on the spool for holding the tape against unwinding, means for releasing the tape from said unwinding position, a tape holding means mounted on the opposite end of one of said units carrying the spool, means for securing the tape in said tape holding means, and means for adjusting said tape holding means laterally and vertically.

WESLEY ELLINGTON. 

